why I make

As I was driving home yesterday, the kids fell asleep and I listened to a fair amount of music and a few podcasts. Diane's latest podcast (awesome as always), titled "Why do you make stuff?", left me thinking about how I'd answer the question. I decided that writing a list about it was in order.

I make stuff because:

I have to. The digital world is awesome but I need more. I need the tangible.

It keeps my creativity, mind and deameanor balanced.

It gets ideas out of my head. I think I'd explode otherwise.

I like to see if my ideas will really work.

I love the process (almost more than the results).

Problem solving is awesome and/or frustrating but still very interesting.

It gets me away from the computer.

Surprises are always around the corner. I start with one thing and I may end up with something else.

I like the mental challenge of coming up with ways that test the limitations of a medium or material.

When I do it with family or friends, I always have a memorable time.

Regardless of what I make (good or bad), I always learn something new.